Welcome to the 17.5 QA Testing Guide, please check with your developer to make sure 17.5 Migration is successfully completed (if any) before testing.
Recording of the Webinar 🎦
Bug fixes and improvements🪲
As with any other releases, we're trying to improve by ruling out as much bugs as possible in order to maintain that awesome CET user experience. Hence, these relevant bugs and changes were handpicked for your information, divided into different CET component areas.
Materials / Customer Own Materials (COM) Related
Bug fix for applying COM materials in nested properties
A problem has been fixed where applying a COM material to a quick property with nested features gets reflected under multiple features that were not selected when the COM material was linked.
Please follow *smoke test instructions below:
The COM material of 'test' should be applied on the Primary but instead, gets applied to the sub-feature.
*What to look out for?
Manufacturers need to find products with material options that have nested options and apply a COM to a mid level option and verify it sticks there and not apply to the bottom option.
Manufacturers should also check that COM materials are still correct in query, calculations, finish summary and swatches, article view snappers in Papers and PDF printouts.
Test apply a COM to a snapper in Schemes. Additionally, saving and loading old and new drawings should still have the COM applied.
Calculation / Order Export Related
This section comprises of all changes related to calculation / bill of material (BOM) / order exports.
Updated OFDA XML Export
The OFDA XML export of current version 4.0.0.1 has been updated to 4.02.00 and the label in the dropdown along has been updated. Manufacturers will have to make sure by exporting to OFDA XML will not introduce any regression bugs or missing entities. Please follow *smoke test instructions below:
Top and bottom comparison of the old and new OFDA XML export version in the order export dialog.
*What to look out for?
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Load old manufacturer drawings and export an OFDA XML
Use the Order Export Diff Tool in QA Tools for a comparison check between version updates, ensure the exported output is accurate and does not introduce any new or missing entities.
Additional CIL information columns added in calculation
An improvement has been made here where [weight, volume, width, depth, height, and generic code values] are displayed for CIL symbols in calculations. They should also export with Configura SIF, OFDA XML, and PMX order exports.
The extra information added as columns in calculation dialog.
*What to look out for?
Using your manufacturer CIL library, add a CIL and a Data Symbol with Weight, Volume, Width, Depth, Height, and Generic Code values. In calculations and CIL Query, it should show all values in the proper respective columns. CIL Query will show only Weight and Volume.
Use Specials and override Weight and Volume, then review calculations and order export. The overridden Weight and Volume values should appear in calculations and in every export.
Lastly, an order export to Configura SIF, PMX, OFDA XML, all data should export accurately with no errors.
Optional sub features not exported in Configura SIF
Developers fixed a bug where sub-features of a selected optional select option would not export in Configura SIF. This was first discovered by a manufacturer and the feature 'Chassis Grommet Color' did not export in the image below.
The sub-feature in a object's Quick properties is not compulsory, an optional feature to be selected.
*What to look out for?
Manufacturers will need to find a product that have the same setup as the above image (if any) and export a Configura SIF, PMX, and OFDA XML. Verify that the option exports correctly.
Ind. Tag reset behavior check
Developers fixed a bug in 17.0 which causes part adjustments to be lost when Ind Tags were removed/reset on a part. Manufacturers can now ensure part adjustments on a part with a modified Ind. Tag will now be retained when the respective Ind. Tag is reset.
The modified information (in green cells) will now retain in calculation whenever Ind. Tags are reset.
*What to look out for?
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Manufacturers need to check this against their own snappers and Ind. Tag systems, expecting modified part adjustment information to retain when performing a Ind. Tag reset.
Resetting an Ind Tag modification on a Part from Calculations (through the modified grid cell).
Resetting an Ind Tag modification from a Snapper in the drawing (right-click -> Reset Item Tags).
Adherence to new pricing system
This pricing system change was released back in 17.0, but it will be moved to data symbols in this 17.5 release. All data symbols from Catalogue Browser will be made to adhere to the new pricing system (Base+ Upcharge = List). Manufacturers can opt-out for any of their extensions using DsPart/DsPData if there are pricing issues, have to migrate otherwise.
*What to look out for?
Save and load drawings with the manufacturer's data symbols from Catalogue Browser or their data driven / catalogue based extension. All new pricings should be maintained upon loading the drawings.
Currency conversion in calculation should also work with the manufacturer's data symbols.
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Specials with custom pricing in the Query dialog should work with the manufacturer's data symbols.
Test with pricing on the Part Number and Options, ensuring the price is still correct in different converted currencies.
Exporting pricing to Configura SIF, OFDA XML, and PMX should have the correct pricing.
Lasso calculation misses out child snappers
*Because of technical difficulties, this fix will be postponed until further notice
A problem has been fixed where lasso calculation has missing support for child snappers for manufacturer extensions. If your manufacturer extension adapts child snappers, all parts will be captured by the lasso selection tool with this fix.
No parts were captured using Lasso calculation tool in the newly created Article view 3 .
*What to look out for?
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Using your manufacturer extension, use lasso calculation on your product snappers and ensure the functionality still works and is able to capture all available parts and display correct prices in calculation.
Repeat with product snappers with child snappers (if any).
Order Export spec changes
This is a technical code improvement area where it should allow for less needed customizations on the Data Symbol side of things, meaning hopefully fewer unique export customizations, UI customizations, etc. There will not be any user interface changes with 17.0 and will not introduce any changes. However, It's important to ensure Order Export is not broken.
*What to look out for?
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Option appearance in views (Calculations, Query, custom dialogs, etc)
Should be the same from 17.0.
Things to check would be order of options, ensure all expected options appear and none are missing, etc. If there are issues, likely there is custom extension code that needs migrating from the manufacturer.
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Option export
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SIF/PMX
Should be the same from 17.0.
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OFDA
Should be mostly the same.
Sequence and Level values may be more accurate than previously done.
If there are issues, likely there is custom extension code that needs migrating from the manufacturer.
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Other custom extension code/dialogs (if any) that process part options.
CAD Related
New CAD export
The old CAD export had to be rewritten as during export, some data loss were experienced during the conversion process by converting the DWG entities to graphs then back to DWG entities. A new checkbox is added in CAD dialog should users wish to try out the rewritten CAD export feature, both options will remain just in case the new one has unexpected outcome.
The new checkbox in CAD dialog, give it a shot, will ya?
*What to look out for?
Test the new CAD export process and make sure no data is lost during conversion.
Compare exported output with a third party CAD viewer for accuracy (if applicable).
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The new CAD export should:
Retain original DWG block names and layer names.
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Export should retain original DWG entities and data.
Lines not missing or misplaced.
Retain data of all blocks from an imported DWG including Dynamic Blocks.
Exported CET snappers are now exported as Blocks in DWG export file.
Paper view Related
Removed printer dependency
Previously, many users have encountered issues with CET load times and missing printer dialogs when exporting to PDF, we have removed the printer lookup at startup and added a list of all paper formats to paper view. A new checkbox is added in the Control Panel general settings to enable this feature.
The new checkbox in Control Panel under 'General' tab.
When printer dependency is disabled (ticked), in paper view, a new collection of ISO standard paper sizes are added to choose from.
Paper size dropdown in paper space menu bar.
In any events of paper size not supported by the printer, it will show a warning notifying the user. This is because of regional and industrial differences, different printer and hardware have varying support for paper sizes.
Warning in print report dialog to notify paper size not supported by printer.
*What to look out for?
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Test that loading older drawings with paper content are still working as usual and no 'missing printer' errors show up.
With older drawings, ensure that the paper content is still the same and accurate.
Make sure the user's third party PDF tools are useable as a printer when using paper view and exporting as PDF is not blocked.
Catalogue Related
Improved matching support of external reference keys
A new external key matching behavior of (AND) has been added on top of the existing matching behavior of (OR), this provides more flexibility to how features are mapped. In short, this mostly affects configuration of new or existing catalogue products when using Catalogue Creator and will less likely affect CET in general.
*What to look out for?
Using your manufacturer extension, make sure when placing your manufacturer products that are data-driven or catalogue based, it should have product graphics and quick properties will still work when toggling between different features. Should any of your products displays as a 'missing product graphics box', reach out to us at devsupport@configura.com.
Missing product graphics box.
User Interface Related
Manufacturer names in dialog
Progress, scheme, model, warning dialogs belonging to manufacturers will now have naming label in the title after updating to 17.5. This is automatic and will not require any efforts from the manufacturer. The purpose for this is to ease troubleshooting, so a warning would immediately be clear is related to the belonging manufacturer.
Manufacturer with an obsolete material.
Update prompt dialog related to Commercial Interiors Library.
*What to look out for?
Using your manufacturer extension, ensure that any dialogs that belonging to the manufacturer has the correct name and label. [ Name | Dialog purpose ]
CET Preferences folder relocation
To combat problems related to loading .cmpref files from cloud drives which interrupts loading CET, the CET preferences folder where it used to be in 'CET Documents' will be moved to '%LocalAppData%\CET Preferences'. This will better protect user data or any unauthorized changes to the data and settings.
*What to look out for?
Ensure that after updated to 17.5, all user preferences (regional, schemes, default values) should be retained. If there are any manufacturer preferences, this will not be affected and should work as usual.
Save and load drawing and ensure it can save and work as usual.
New features🆕
We're continuously improving in each releases to provide more features that brings more value into CET. Here's what you need to know, divided into different CET component areas.
Drawing Tools Related
Improved 3D dimensions
The dimensions in 3D has been revamped to provide better usability, it used to be very basic where features were very limited. The improvement here brings all the features that were previously on the 2D dimensions, made possible on 3D dimensions. At the same time, a new measure axis system has been added where users can start placing with the preset alignments in the animation properties.
The preset alignments shown in black dotted lines, blue when active.
With the available features from the 2D dimensions, it opens up to a lot of possibilities, where styles are all made compatible. Therefore, from sharing the same measure style, precision to a different font type will be shared among 2D and 3D if made visible through the 'Show in' feature in the quick properties.
The 2D and 3D dimension sharing the same font type and color.
*What to look out for?
- Using your manufacturer extension products, ensure that placing dimensions to measure in 2D and 3D is still usable and does not introduce a different behavior. Verify against your product specifications and ensure the precision of the dimensions are still accurate as before.
- Load older drawings and verify that the new dimension engine is still supported, all older dimensions should support the new improvement in CET 17.5.
- Repeat with older drawings with elevation view, especially the ones with built in dimensions.
- If your manufacturer extension has customized dimensions based off from Core, ensure your manufacturer dimensions are still accurate and does not pose serious issues.
User Interface Related
Split vertical view in drawing space
This new feature has been long awaited by many, especially manufacturers dealing with tall products in their use cases. A new button situated below (red circled) joining the pack of buttons switching between views.
Vertical or horizontal, have it your way!
*What to look out for?
- With your manufacturer drawings open, check that switching between views is still seamless as before. (e.g 2D > Paper, 3D>Vertical views etc.).
- Ensure that enter/exiting block mode still works, elevation view not affected, also any other manufacturer custom dialog with ability to change views (if any).
- Make sure that your manufacturer view modes and custom view modes still work as before.
Command prompt
In effort to support expert users, UI-driven interactions can feel slow at times for everyday actions. While keyboard shortcut keys provide convenience but requires memorization. With command prompt, launched with 'Alt+P' key, users can type commands directly to streamline the workflow. Currently it only supports core features for now and will be looked at for further improvements.
The command prompt dialog that appears at the bottom.
Typing a command to insert a wall, then freeze.
*What to look out for?
- With your manufacturer drawings open, check that command prompt is able to perform certain actions successfully in CET with the manufacturer snappers.
Performance Testing 📊
Performance is a very important aspect that drives CET's usability experience. As we strive to provide more enhancements and new features in the later CET versions, performance is taken into strict consideration to ensure its consistency and does not introduce an unintended ripple effect throughout. With that said, we would like our manufacturers to run some basic performance tests, to make sure they are not affected.
Basic checklists
- To ensure the best performance possible, please switch off unused extensions, which will contribute to faster CET loading and startup.
- Test for possible memory leak issue using Window's Task Manager (Open using shortcut CTRL + SHIFT + ESC). Look for 'CETDesigner.exe' under 'Processes' tab and make sure overall memory consumption is not maxed out, with CET eating up most of it. Check that CET's memory consumption makes negligible difference between old and new, report if you experience abnormally high memory consumption by 'CETDesigner.exe'.
Measure memory usage
A new tool to inspect memory allocation for packages installed in CET. This tool can be used to determine memory leak of certain packages if memory is growing overtime and not being release.
What you can do:
- To be used whenever there is a memory spike or memory maxing out in Windows Task Manager. Or unusual sluggishness or slowdown were felt while using CET.
- Open up Release Debug menu using Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F12. Click on "Measure memory usage". Some users might have clashes with Intel HD Graphics shortcut.
- The traces will be written to CET log file. Send the log file together with relevant information to devsupport@configura.com for investigation.
Response Monitor tests
We highly recommend using 'Response Monitor' under 'QA Tools' to trace the time taken for different actions done in CET. Compare the time taken for the same actions done between the old and new versions of CET. If time taken difference is of a huge margin, you may report to 'devsupport@configura.com' for assistance.
By using your manufacturer extension, we suggest checking time differences for these actions:
- System startup time
- First snapper placement, and subsequent continuous placement
- Stretching (check if its smooth and not jerky)
- Copy and Paste
- Creating Alternatives
- Save and Load drawing
- Material application in [Animation, Quick Properties, Customer Own Material, Scheme Dialog]
That's all we have for you!
The QA Support team would like to wish you all the best in your 17.5 Migration journey. 👍
Have additional questions?
Links that may come handy to you
Release and Migration Best Practices
As always, reach out to us at qasupport@configura.com if you have questions
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